Church Of What's Happening

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Jesus shows up a few weeks ago and He says, "Steve, I'm bigger than Me".

You see, I had been considering the things of meditation as I pursued healing from the previous 18 months or so. Fighting and persevering through life's trials had taken its tole and I was simply worn out.

In the midst of feeling like my relationship with Jesus simply didn't provide the tools I needed in my moments, I resumed counseling with a professional and she mentioned meditation as a coping tool.

Didn't bother me a bit, in fact I welcomed the suggestion because I so desired to simply sit, rest, release and relax. I had pictured myself meditating.

But my 'old' Christian baggage questioned the wisdom in exploring anything that might be aligned with eastern culture, religion, or Buddha.

But I got over so much of that years earlier when I realized I needed some anti-depressants.

So why this concern what ___________ might think?
Was it What Jesus might think? Or Friends? Or Family?

To hell with it, so,...

I listened to a CD of an American born ordained Buddhist Nun named Pema Chodron and she was explaining the writings of a monk from 750 years or so ago. It is amusing because during the recorded "talk" Pema breaks the writing down 'verse by verse' sounding an awful like she could be reading the book or Proverbs from the bible.

Cool material, cool woman, good stuff.

As I pondered this new path I never pictured walking it without Jesus, It wasn't Him that I was disappointed in, rather that my humanity and its associated experiences were so God Damned Hard.

So I simply asked Him, "J Bomb, you got any problem with this stuff"? (J Bomb = Jesus Bomb)
and He says, "Steve, I'm bigger than Me".

I know now what He means and perhaps we'll explore that in the future, but in the mean time, What say you? Is GOD bigger than Jesus?

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

I've considered many times that God could just fix it all right now. You know, send another flood or some other sort of earth sanitizing event and get rid of the pain, sickness, death, violence and what-not once and for all. But the book of Genesis (and the original flood) give us a glimps into God's thinking.

Genesis 6:5-8 (The Message)God saw that human evil was out of control. People thought evil, imagined evil—evil, evil, evil from morning to night. God was sorry that he had made the human race in the first place; it broke his heart. God said, "I'll get rid of my ruined creation, make a clean sweep: people, animals, snakes and bugs, birds—the works. I'm sorry I made them." But Noah was different. God liked what he saw in Noah.And I suspect there is something about you and me that he likes too. You see; (also from Genesis)

God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature. .... God created human beings; he created them godlike, Reflecting God's nature

That would be you and me too, and clearly, God must like what He sees...

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

A man was lifted from his seat to his feet saying "I can't do it anymore" and he surrendered his religion, his mind and heart to Jesus. This man has a favorite metaphor regarding this transaction with Jesus, he calls it "getting on the boat". This man, my friend has spoken often the past two years about getting on the boat (or lack thereof).

One of the odd things was by listening to this man speak for the past two or so years, I thought he already had engaged Jesus in this way. You see, it seems he was given the testimony before the transaction ever officially took place. Transformation happened over time but in an instant, by faith, it was confirmed. The transaction was for him.

Another weird thing was as he stood he opened his arms and motioned with his hands in a brushing, inward motion to a few of us men in the room as if to say "come here, come to me while I say these things". I tried to accommodate him but by the physical nature of the furniture arrangement and proximity of a couple other guys, I couldn't get to him. As my friends hugged him, I was given the opportunity to simply watch. And watch I did. I'm glad, because I saw a miracle tonight.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Soon my friend will be free!

Andrae Crouch

Soon And Very Soon lyrics

Soon and very soonWe are going to see the KingHallelujah, hallelujah,We're going to see the king

No more cryin there,We are going to see the King

No more cryin there,We are going to see the King

No more cryin there,We are going to see the KingHallelujah, hallelujah,We're going to see the King

Should there be any rivers we must crossShould there be any mountains we must climbGod will supplt all the strength that we needGive us strength till we reach the other side.

We have come from every nation, God has already signed our name. Jesus took his blood and he washed my sins.. he washed them all away. Yet there are those of us who have laid down our lives but we all shall meet again on the other side... soon and very soon.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Last night I saw a movie called “Eat, Pray, Love” starring Julia Roberts. Good movie. A slight spoiler is to follow so; if you find that annoying, stop reading now.

Our heroine finds herself at a point in life where, assessing her circumstances and finding herself wanting; embarks on a year long adventure/sabbatical. One segment of her year takes her to India where she spends time in a Hindu ‘place’ where she learns meditation and discovers an aspect of the healing and knowledge of God that she desired.

OK…… Hindu, I know, but, as this segment of the movie concludes, she reveals her discovery to the audience as she self-narrates her experience and states it something to this effect “I discovered God lives in me and as me”

Wait a minute! I thought that was ‘our story’!With Hollywood behind the message and Julia Roberts delivering it, I can just see the world flipping over this great ‘cool’ concept and I can foresee a birth of interest in things Hindu, but come on now, we ‘had that message’ centuries ago!

Problem is; we just don’t hear it as much anymore.

Jesus said in John chapter 14;

"If you love me, show it by doing what I've told you. I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can't take him in because it doesn't have eyes to see him, doesn't know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!"I will not leave you orphaned. I'm coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you're going to see me because I am alive and you're about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I'm in my Father, and you're in me, and I'm in you.

We "do" because He lives in and through us.

Paul in Galatians 2 tries to explain it like this; "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."

I love how The Message paraphrase puts it;

"What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that."

‘We’ seem to spend an inordinate amount of time exercising our conclusions regarding God’s corporate agenda for society at the expense of the message of Devine personal revelation, growth, and relationship.

Now I know there is probably a ton of Hindu philosophy behind that statement in the movie. [Honestly I’m not sure Hindu is what I should be calling it. Maybe one of you will straighten me out].

I’m certainly not advocating your exploration of the Hindu beliefs (although I am sure Jesus isn’t threatened if you do). I’d rather you find the Light I have found, live in it, then tell me what you see and hear.

I am wondering how the world got such a distaste of our faith and how the offer of Jesus got so lost.

It saddens me that we neglect what is in my opinion, the most wonderful (and fundamental) gift Jesus offers; to have our relationship with God restored.

Julia Roberts (in character) re-discovers the joy of living and relationships. Do we offer that? Jesus said to a woman “if you knew who it was you were talking to, you would ask for something different, something more important, something you really want’ (my translation). Julia’s character wants to talk with God, wants revelation, and wants healing and freedom from what ails her. She wants to be free to live!

Again! That’s supposed to be our message, the message Jesus began his revelation to us with.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

One of my intimate allies found out his life likely will end much sooner than hoped for.I arrived at the medical facility where the news was delivered shortly after receiving the news.After a group hug with his wife, he and I separated and held each other again.We looked at each other. He looked in my eyes and said,

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

These are my current thoughts on the place, meaning and value of scripture in my walk as a follower of Jesus. It just so happens Paul (of all people) said it so well before me, and these words which I believe were inspired by God are simply and totally sufficient in describing the place scripture holds in my life. I find these words worthy of meditation.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. (The Message)

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (King James) (My emphasis added)

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (New King James)Scripture is actually from God (as in His breath literally coming out of Him) and it has value.

I would add these thoughts;

As I look at scripture objectively I find it is more a description rather than a prescription.

There was a time when I was younger in the faith that I had a larger appetite to read scripture. I found that by reading these historical accounts of God interacting with humanity I was able to look for (and find) Him in my life more easily. However, as my thirst to know Him and learn about Him remained unquenched, and I turned to the Scriptures to drink of His history, I remained unsatisfied, unquenched, and more self judgmental. For me I came to realize that I would never be able to know all the principles, keep all the rules, memorize enough, trust myself, or debate the intellectuals very well. I have friends who have a gift for study; I’m not really put together that way. How could I ever catch up? How many hours would I need? Was seminary what it would take? Was my intimacy with God and therefore my ability to be in relationship with Him dependant upon my ability to process and retain information?

I was confounded by Paul’s writings that were clearly culturally sensitive. Like most of the people I know, I selectively disregarded portions that clearly were ‘no longer relevant’ things such as; women not speaking in church or wearing pants, or Peter’s instruction to slaves to withstand beatings (I’d like to see how that flies in a court today). There are more examples but I’m already getting bored….no passion to continue presenting more examples. I’m an evangelist, not an apologist.

I read about the Pharisees. I suspect these were not all intentionally evil men. I believe most were men who had the best of intentions, to know God’s requirements as passed on by God (and man) through history and apply them to the routine of their daily life cycle. Yet here comes Jesus saying they missed it! He talked about the condition of the heart.

I instinctually knew above all else what I wanted was to hear Him talk to me, engage me, and live with me in the moments of my life. Right now; would He talk to me? Through a series of events I met Him in a moment. This is not the time to discuss that moment. I would be glad to tell you the story if you wish, but the point is this; now I hear Him, every moment I desire (and sometime I don’t want to). He calls me His friend, and scripture pales in comparison to sharing the moments of my existence in complete abandonment to the relationship. Reading a premise, a rule, or historical account of how He talked to someone else 2000 years ago is like the difference in reading about a moon landing or standing foot on it (something I have not done).

Yet none of this diminishes scripture. I cannot think of a time when His leading in my life contradicted the words Christ spoke. Now, sometimes quite often (sometimes not) I find myself in scripture. Whether I’m preparing a talk, exploring a notion, or desiring a reminder of His truth; it’s always as a result of His leading, and when I read, I find confirmation or definition of my experience.

I believe Jesus came to restore the relationship that was broken in Eden. I believe that is the story behind scripture and the intent of God’s heart on allowing it to remain.

I believe God wants to walk with us just like He did with Adam and Eve, perhaps not physically like He did with them, but in relationship, in this moment. Right now, and I do not think He needs a book to do that, helpful as it has proven to be.

Are you and God busy writing the story of His ongoing revelation as told by _______________ (fill in your name)?I would seriously question if it’s contrary to Jesus’ recorded words.

Are you completely satisfied in you relationship with Him? It’s available, He’s still talking. The bible is a great example of it, the whole darn thing. If a relationship with Him is solely dependant upon scripture knowledge, then the intellectual has a better chance of being His friend than me and what’s the stinking use, because I’ll never meet up, never, I tried. I tried real hard.

Some would say this is a bad example; but by reading this, one could have a greater understanding of what I think. But it pales in comparison to having a conversation with me because too much is left up to you. But even this silly writing is available for God’s insight if you ask Him for it.